Freeing the city from floods

Freeing the city from floods

Senthalir S. Bangalore



Monsoon spells nightmare to Bangaloreans. The next rainy season may not be so, if plans in the new BBMP budget are any indication.
The BBMP budget for 2009-10 has allocated Rs200 crore for the development of the storm-water drain network in the city.
The palike has prepared a detailed project report for the construction and remodelling of the storm water drainage (SWD) network.
It will be submitted to the Government of India shortly for funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme.
The ongoing works in four major valleys — namely Challaghatta, Koramangala, Vrushabavathi and Hebbal — will be expedited during this financial year.
The Palike intends to develop a portion of the Vrushabavathi Valley into a model river front on the lines of the Sabarmathi River Valley Development project.
"We had sought Rs150 crore for this project. But we have received Rs200 crore. The work on storm water drains will be taken up stage by stage. We have identified 25 critical points for the implementation. These critical points include major flooding areas of the valley like Magadi Road, Nayandahalli, Gangondanahalli, Chandra Layout and Metro Layout. The areas will be cleared of waste material that is choking the drain. We will also utilise the budget allocation to build concrete and retaining walls for the storm water drains," said SD Siddagangappa, chief engineer, SWD.
Siddagangappa added that this move will not only help reduce flooding in areas, but will also help reduce the stench emanating from these drains.
Besides, in a special initiative Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) will be installed at seven locations across the city.
BBMP commissioner S Subramanya said that at present drainage water is directed into storm water drains leading to several problems, like blockage of inlet pipes by the dirt.
At present there are 40 inlets into the Vrushabavathi Valley. The BBMP has now proposed to construct sewage treatment plants wherein this drainage water is treated.
This will ensure that only rain water flows into storm water drains and the treated water will be free of material that can block drains, reducing the possibility of the flooding of low lying areas.
Underlining that storm water drains should be designed based on the contours of the city, Dr AS Kodandapani, a member of the infrastructure committee in the chambers of commerce, said: "The BBMP should design the storm water drains in such a way that it is narrow upstream and broader downstream. People are letting drain water into the valley and have polluted it. Measures should be taken to stop this. Only then will the SWD project be successful. The B Ashwathnarayan report on the SWD project should also be implemented properly."